Reinforced shipping carton



July 30, 1963 R. E. STEASE REINFORCED SHIPPING CARTON 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed March 18, 1959 FIG.

INVENTOR.

RALPH E. STEASE M v, 2 1k ATTORNEY July 30, 1963 R. E. STEASE REINFORCEDSHIPPING CARTON 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 18, 1959 FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

RALPH E. STEASE ATTORMEY July 30, 1963 R. E. STEASE 3,099,379

REINFORCED SHIPPING CARTON Filed March 18, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR.

RALPH E; STEASE Egg. QM

ATTORNEY July 30, 1963 R. E. STEASE REINFORCED SHIPPING CARTON FiledMafch 18. 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 R O T N E M RALPH E. STEASE BY 2 Mam.

FIG. 9

' ATTORNEY Unite This invention relates to a shipping carton and, moreparticularly, to a shipping carton suitable for storing and transportingcertain products. For example, hot or cold food products, the coldproducts comprising frozen food products, fresh ice packed foodproducts, hydrocooled food products, refrigerated food proucts and thelike. While the carton embodies features making is especially adaptedfor use with food products, it is capable of many other applicationswhere a sturdy container is required, and, in particular, where thecarton is subjected to the weight of other cartons being stacked thereonduring shipping and/ or storage.

Many of the shipping cartons in present usage provide inadequatereinforcement at the interior seams where the side panels are joinedtogether. Generally, these side seams tend to split and cause separationof the side panels when the side seams and panels are subjected toexcessive forces created by the contents of the carton bearing againstthe side seams and panels and/ or by the weight of other cartons beingstacked on top of the same during shipping or storage. While it ispossible to provide added strength to the side seams of the carton byutilizing additional thicknesses or multiples of the side panels, suchexpedients add to the cost and weight of the carton and are for thisreason unsuitable.

Generally, some suitable provision must be made for lifting and carryinga carton of the above described type. One such means has been to providecarrying handles which are made an integral part of the container.However, it has been found that these prior known carrying handlesgenerally impose objectionable stresses on the fasteners holding theclosure lid of the carton to the side panels.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide areinforced shipping carton having side panels interconnected adjacenteach of their adjoining edges by an intermediate fastening member havingspaced deformable detents alternately embedded in the mating surfaces ofthe side panels.

It is another object of the present invention to provide suchintermediate fastening members between the mating surfaces of the sidepanels and a bottom of the carton where the same are bonded together.

Another object of this invention is to further reinforce such a cartonagainst separation of the side panels by providing at least onereinforcing flap at each of the side seams of the carton, eachrein-forcing flap extending the full length of the connecting seam.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved carrying handlesfor the carton whereby substantially none of the lifting force isimposed on the cover of the carton or the fasteners holding the cover inthe closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lid or cover for thecarton which is hingedly joined to one of the side panels, is adapted toseal at the edges of the remaining wall panels, and is adapted to befastened in the closed position by a connection reqiuring only twofastening elements in the form of staples or the like. As a result, thecarton when assembled can be sealed by the cover which requiresfastening at only two points. Conversely, when the carton is opened,only the fastening points need be broken to open the lid which at alltimes provides an effective seal while in a closed position.

A further object of the invention is to construct a car- 3,099,379Patented July 30, 1963 ice ton which is highly resistant to water,moisture, and vapor transmission.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a cartonhaving drainage openings at the bottom of the cart-on which provideoutlets for water or other liquid from the interior of the carton.

Other objects and features of the invention in addition to thosespecifically mentioned will become apparent from a consideration of thefollowing description which proceeds with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of carton blanks from which a carton isassembled, the carton illustrating a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of the carton blank of FIGURE 1 andillustrates three of the side panels in their assembled positions, andthe manner of folding the fourth side panel into its assembled position;

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view showing the canton blank of FIGURE 1 inthe next stage of assembly subsequent to the stage illustrated in FIGURE2 and illustrating how the cover panel is folded downwardly;

FIGURE 4 is an isometric view showing a connecting strip which is usedto hold the side panels together;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken throughone of the connecting flaps of the side panels and illustrating how theconnecting strip holds the connecting flap and adjacent side paneltogether;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIGURE 3 after thecarton is completed;

FIGURE 7 is an isometric view showing the cover panel in dotted positionwhen the carton is partially closed, and in full lines when the cartonis completely sealed;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary isometric view indicating how theend portions of the forward sealing flap are bent backwardly andthereafter stapled to hold the cover in place;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of car-ton blanks from which another carton isassembled, the car-ton illustrates a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 10 is an isometric view of the carton blank of FIGURE 9 andillustrates three of the side panels in their assembled positions andthe manner of bringing the fourth side panelinto its assembled position;

FIGURE 11, in an isometric view similar to FIGURE 7, illustrates thecover panel of the second embodiment being brought into its closedposition; and

FIGURE 12 illustrates, in an enlarged fragmentary isometric view,similar to FIGURE 8, how the end portions of the forward sealing flap ofthe second embodiment are fastened in place.

Reference is noW made to FIGURES l to 8 illustrating the firstembodiment of the present invention, and particular reference is made toFIGURE 1 wherein a carton A is constructed from a blank 10, the blank 10being divided by score or fold lines 12, 14, and 16 extending across theWidth of the blank 10 and defining two side panels 18 and 20, a bottompanel 22 and cover panel 24. The other two sides of the carton A areprovided by separate blanks 26 and 28 which form the side panels 30 and32 respectively.

The blank-s 10, 26 and 23 may be formed from reclaimed or virgin kraftboard and are of any suitable thickness depending primarily upon theintended usage of the carton A. A wax coating or other protectivecoating may be provided over the surfaces of the kraft board panels torender the carton highly resistant to water, moisture, and vaportransmission.

The two side panels 30 and 32 each have reinforcement flaps 34 and 36formed along the edges thereof by means of respective score lines 38 and39. Carrying handle flaps 3 40 are located along the outer edge of theside panels 30, 32, the flaps 40 being defined by score lines 41 whichpermit doubling back of the carrying handle flaps 40.

The panel has score lines 42 and 44 extending paral lel with thelongitudinal edges providing a margin of material at the opposite sidesof each of the panels 18, 20, 22 and 24. The side panels 18 and 20 arethereby respectively provided with opposed pairs of foldable connectingflaps 46, 48 and 50, 52 which are adapted to be fastened to the two sidepanels and 32. The bottom or base panel 22 includes two foldableconnecting flaps 54 and 56 which are adapted to be fastened respectivelyto side panels 30 and 32 adjacent the respective edges 57 and 58thereof.

The cover panel 24 also includes foldable flaps 60, 62 and 63 and isfolded on the score line 16. The flaps 60, 62 and 63 are adapted to befolded over the edges of the other three side panels 18, 30 and 32 toeffectively seal the shipping carton A.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the side panels 30, 32 are placed verticallyon the blank 10 with the bottom edges 57, 58 coincident with therespective score lines 42 and 44 of the bottom panel 22. Thereinforcement flaps 34 and 36 are then folded inwardly towards oneanother as shown in FIGURE 2, and the side panels 18 and 2d are benttransversely at the respective folding lines 12 and 14 to form theremaining upright side panels of the container A.

The connecting flaps 46 and 48 of the side panel 18 and the connectingflaps 5i? and 52 of the side panel 26 are bent so as to wrap over theouter surfaces of the respective side panels 30 and 32. Similarly, theconnecting flaps '54 and 56 of the bottom panel 22 are bent upwardly toextend over a portion of the outer surfaces of the re spective sidepanels 30 and 32. Each of the connecting flaps 46, 48, 50 and 52 andeach of the bottom flaps 54 and 56 is then fastened to the respectiveouter surface of the side panel 30 or 32, by means of an interposedconnecting member (FIGURE 4). Each connecting member 70 has a series ofspaced deformable detents 72 which extend alternately from oppositesides of the metal strip 70, the detents being pointed at their outerends so as to have a piercing effect when pressed against the respectiveconnecting flap and outer surface of the adjoining side panel. Sinceeach connecting member 70 functions in the same manner, only oneparticular connection will be described. In particular, reference is nowmade to FIGURE 5 wherein the connecting flap 48 is wrapped over onevertical edge of the side panel 32. The connecting member 70 is theninterposed between the flap 48 and panel 32. When normal pressure isapplied against the connecting flap 48 and the side panel 32, thedetents 72 at the opposite sides of the strip 70 become imbeddedrespectively therein. The detents 72 are so proportioned that the tips75 thereof are adapted to be bent backwardly to form an interlockingrelation with the connecting flap 48 and the side panel 32. As a result,there is formed a reliable and effective bond. The detents 72 do notprotrude beyond the surfaces of the connecting flaps and side panelswhereby a smooth joint is formed between each connecting flap and themating surface of the adjacent side panel. Further details of thisconnection member can be obtained by reference to the copendingapplication, Serial No. 746,908, filed July 7, 1958.

The flaps 50 and 52 of the side panel 20 and the flaps 46 and 48 of theside panel 18 are connected to the respective side panels 30 and 32(FIGURE 2) in such a manner that rear corners and 82 and front corners81 and 83 of the sealing flaps 60, 62 are adapted to be insertedrespectively between the connecting flaps 50, 52, 46 and 48 and therespective wall panels 30 and 32 (FIG- URE 3). The cover panel 24 isthen folded downwardly on the score line or fold line 16 With thesealing flaps 60 and 62 being brought over the upper edges of the wallpanels 30 and 32. The carrying handle flaps 40 may be proportioned to beof greater width than the width of 4 the sealing flaps 60, 62 of thecover panel 24 or proportioned to be of the same width as the width ofthe sealing flaps 60 and 62. Therefore, when the handle flaps 40 arefolded downwardly they either project beyond the respective sealingflaps 6d and 62 or are coincident therewith and thus are adapted tocarry the entire weight of the shipping carton. In this manner, none ofthe Weight of the carton A is borne by the cover panel 24 when the sameis lifted by the handles 40.

After the cover 24 is closed over the open end of the carton A, theforward sealing flap 63 is bent downwardly over the upper edge of theside panel 18. The tab sections (FIGURE 7) of the sealing flap 63 arebent backwardly on the transverse fold lines 92 and stapled by a stapler96 to the respective side panel 30 and 32, each staple 98 connecting atab 98, connecting flap 46 or 48, adjacent sea-ling flap 60 or 62 andside panel 30 or 32 together. Thus, by utilizing a single staple 98 atthe opposite ends of the sealing flap 63, the cover panel 24 is adaptedto be held firmly in place. In this manner, the cover 24 of the carton Acan be rapidly fastened in place. Conversely, by merely breaking theconnection formed by the staples 98 at only two points, the cover panel24 can be released and swung backwardly at its hinged connection to openthe carton A.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 6, which is a cross-sectional view takenthrough the middle of carton A. It can be seen that a double thicknessof side panel material is provided at each of the side seams of thecarton A. This reinforcement at each of the side seams provides addedstrength to the carton A which is sufficient to resist any tendency ofthe side seams to split.

If desired, four drainage openings 10% may be provided at the bottom ofthe carton A, the openings 100 providing outlets for any moisture whichaccumulates within the carton A or results from limited thawing of thefrozen product contained therein. These drainage openings 10% areprovided by slots 102 formed between the bottom panel 22 and the sidepanels 18 and 20, the slots 102 respectively extending along the scorelines 12 and 14 and projecting slightly beyond the score lines 42 and44. Therefore, when the blank 10 is folded on the score lines 12 and 14and the side panels 30* and 32 are set in place, the slots 102 extendinto the interior of the carton 14 as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3.

After the carton A, shown in FIGURE 3 is formed, it is easily packedwith produce such as frozen poultry, vegetables or other produce. Thecover panel 24 is then swung downwardly at the hinged score line 16 andsealed by means of the flaps 60, 62 and 63. The cover is [fastened inthe manner previously described by merely folding back the tabs 90 asshown in FIGURES 7 and 8 and then stapling the tabs 90 to hold the cover24 in place.

It is a simple matter to carry the carton by means of the carrying flaps49 so that none of the weight of the carton A or its contents is imposedon the cover panel 24. As a consequence, the staple fastenings 98 ateach end of the carton A also do not bear any of the weight of thecarton. It has been found that by this arrangement, wherein the carryingload is borne solely by side panels 30 and 32 instead of the cover panel24, there is provided greater assurance that the carton A will notbecome opened by normal handling.

Also, as a result of the structural features of this invention, thecarton can be reused since it is resistant to moisture and minimumdamage is done to the carton by the simplified unpacking procedure.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 9l2 illustrating a second embodiment ofthe present invention, and particular reference is made to FIGURE 9illustrating a carton blank 104 utilized for forming a carton B (seeFIGURE 11). The carton blank 104, similar to the carton blank 10illustrated in FIGURE 1, is provided with a plurality of parallel scoreor fold lines 106, 108, and 112 extending across the width thereof andrespectively dividing the cart-on blank 104 into a cover panel 114, aside panel 116, a bottom panel 118, and another side panel 120. A pairof transverse score or fold lines 122 and 124 are provided along theouter edges of the carton blank 104 and respectively define side sealingflaps 126 and 128 on the cover panel 114, connecting flaps 130 and 132on the side panel 116, connecting flaps 134 and 136 on [the bottom panel118, and connecting flaps 138 and 140 on the other side panel 120. Thescore dine 106 defines a front sealing flap 142 on the cover panel 114and respectively cooperates with the score lines 122 and 124 to defineend sections or tabs 144 and 146 on the front sealing flap 142.

A pair of side panel Iblanks 148 and 150 are each respectively dividedinto two equal side panel sections 152, 154 and 156, 158 by respectivescore or fold lines 160 and 162. Each side panel blank 148 and 150 isrespectively provided with a pair of parallel score or fold lines 164,166 and 168, 170. The score lines 164 and 166 respectively define twopairs of reinforcing flaps 172, 174, and 176, 178 disposed respectivelyon opposite sides of the side panel blank 148, and the score lines 168and 170 respectively define two pairs of reinforcing flaps 180, 182 and184, 186 disposed on opposite sides of the side panel blank150.

The side panel section 154 of the side panel blank 148 is partially cutaway at 188 to form :two symmetrical tabs 190 and 192 which, in turn,define a recess means or grasping means 194 in the side panel 148 (seeFIG- URE 11). Similarly, the panel section 156 of the side panel 158 ispartially cut away at 196 to define a pair of symmetrical tabs 198 and200 which, in turn, define a recess means or grasping means 202 in sidepanel 150.

As shown in FIGURE 10, the carton blank 104 is folded in substantiallythe same manner as the carton blank illustrated in FIGURE 2. However,the side panels 148 and 150 are each folded on the respective score orfold lines 160 and 162 in such a manner that the panel sections 152 and158 form part of the interior of the carton B and the panel sections 154and 156 form part of the exterior of the carton B. When the side panels148 and 150 have been folded on the respective score lines 160 and 162in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 10, the bottom edges 204 and 206thereof are placed perpendicularly on the respective score lines 122 and124 extending across the bottom panel 118. The connecting flaps 134 and136 of the bottom panel 118 are then respectively wrapped around aportion of the outer side panel sections 154 and 156 and interconnectedtherewith by connecting members 70 (see FIGURE 4) in the mannerpreviously described. Similarly, the connecting flaps 138 and 140 of theside panel 120 and the connecting flaps 130 and 132 of the side panel136 are secured respectively to the outer side panel sections 154 and156 by connecting members 7 0. When the side panels 148 and 150 havebeen secured to the carton blank 104, each side panel 148 and 150provides a double wall at the respective side of the carton B. As shownin FIGURE 10, each side seam of the carton B is reinforced by a pair ofreinforcing flaps disposed within the carton B and extending along therespective side seam. For example, the reinforcing flaps 184 and 186 ofthe side panel blank 150 extend completely along the side seam definedby the side panels 116 and 150 and thus provide added strength to thecarton B at the particular point where reinforcement is desired.

As shown in FIGURE 11, when the side panels 148 and 150 have beenassembled to the carton blank 104 in the manner previously described,the cover panel 114 is adapted to close the carton B and be securedthereto by folding the same downwardly on the score or fold line 108.The connecting flaps 130 and 138 and the connecting flaps 132 and 140are secured to the respective side panels 148 and 150 in such a mannerthat the respective side sealing flap 126, 128 of the cover panel 114 isadapt- 6. ed to have the respective corner portions 208, 210 and 212,214 inserted bet-ween the connecting flaps and the respective side panel148 and 150 when the cover panel 114 is closed. In order to completelyclose and seal the carton B, the front sealing flap 142 of the coverpanel 114 is folded downwardly over the adjacent side panel and the endsections 144 and 146 thereof are folded backwardly, as shown in FIGURE12, and secured to the respective side panels 148 and by staples 216- insubstantially the same manner as the carton A illustrated in FIGURES 1to 8.

When the carton B has been assembled in the manner set forth above, itcan be seen that not only does the double thickness of the side panels148 and 150 addrigidity to the carton B but the pairs of reinforcingflaps 172, 174; 176, 178; 180, 182; and 184, 186 also provide a doublethickness along the respective side seams of the carton B to furtherreinforce the same and thereby prevent separation of the side panels.The manual grasping means 194 and 202 of the respective side panels 148and 150 provide suitable means for lifting the carton B withoutsubjecting the cover panel 114 or the fastening means 216 to any of thelifting force normally encountered in prior known cartons.

If desired, the carton B may be provided with drainage openings 218(FIGURES 9 and 10) in substantially the same manner as the carton A.

Also, if desired, one or more of the reinforcement flaps 34 and 36 ofcarton A and flaps 172, 174; 176, 178; 180, 182; and 184, 186 of cartonB can be extended whereby the interior of the respective cartons isprovided with at least a double thickness at each of the sides thereof.By such a construction, there would be a substantial increase in top tobottom strength and additional protection prohibiting the transmissionof heat and cold would be provided for products contained in the carton.For example, theresulting double thickness could be so constructed andarranged to provide a dead air space therebetween for insulation, or -toprovide cavities for receiving a cold medium such as Dry Ice and thelike, or a heat generating or radiating medium, whichever medium isnecessary to maintain the products contained in the carton at a desiredpredetermined temperature.

Therefore, it can be seen that various shipping structures have beendisclosed, each having improved means for reinforcing the same at thecritical points thereof without unduly adding to the cost of theproduction of same. It can be further seen that the carton structuresdescribed are relatively simple to assemble and can be sealed andunsealed in a relatively short period of time.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with certainspecific embodiments thereof, it should be understood that this ismerely illustrative of the invention and is in no sense restrictivethereof. It is intended that such revisions and modifications of theinvention as are reasonable to be expected on the part of those skilledin the art and which incorporate the herein disclosed principles will beincluded within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A carton comprising: a plurality of side panels each having a pair ofopposed vertically disposed edges; a connecting flap extending from eachof said edges of all of said side panels; and a plurality of verticallyextending metal strip connecting members respectively disposed betweenall of said connecting flaps and the adjacent side panels to secure saidside panels together at adjacent edges thereof, said connecting memberseach including outwardly extending penetrating tongue portions lockinglyembedded in the respective connecting flap and side panel tooverlappingly secure said connecting member, connecting flap, andadjacent side panel together, to increase the strength of said cornersof said carton against rupture and against deformation by stacking likecartons thereon.

2. A carton comprising: four rectangular side panels each having a pairof opposed vertically disposed edges; a connecting flap extending fromeach of said edges of each opposed pair of said side panels; and aplurality of vertically extending metal strip connecting membersrespectively disposed between said connecting flaps and the otheropposed pair of said side panels to secure said side panels together atadjacent edges thereof, said connecting members each including outwardlyextending penetrating tongue portions lockingly embedded in therespective connecting flap and side panel to overlappingly secure saidconnecting member, connecting flap, and adjacent side panel together,and to increase the strength of said corners of said carton againstrupture and against deformation by stacking of like car-tons thereon.

3. A carton formed in accordance with claim 2 wherein a handle flapextends from the upper edge of a pair of opposed side panels, and acover is hingedly secured to another side panel and includes a pair ofopposed side sealing flaps and a front sealing flap, said side sealingflaps respectively extending over portions of said handle flaps and saidfront flap being turned over and fixed to an adjacent side panel toclose said carton whereby said handle flaps bear the weight of saidcarton when said handle flaps are utilized for lifting said carton.

4. A carton formed in accordance with claim 2 wherein a bottom panel isintegrally connected with a pair of opposed side panels and has a pairof opposed connecting flaps secured to the other pair of opposed sidepanels by connecting members respectively interposed between saidconnecting flaps and said other pair of opposed side panels.

5. A carton formed in accordance with claim 4 wherein said bottom panelhas at least one drainage opening formed by an inward extension of aflap defining slit therein to provide means for draining moisture fromsaid carton.

6. A carton formed in accordance with claim 2 wherein a cover panel ishingedly secured to one of said side panels and includes a pair ofopposed side sealing flaps and a front sealing flap, said front flapbeing turned over an adjacent side panel and having end sections whichare respectively folded back for connection with a pair of opposed sidepanels.

7. A carton formed in accordance with claim 6 wherein each of said pairof opposed side sealing flaps of said cover panel has corner portionsdisposed respectively adjacent said one side panel and said adjacentside panel, each said corner portion being adapted to be receivedbetween an adjacent connecting flap and its associated side panel whensaid cover panel is moved to the closed position.

8. A carton comprising: a plurality of side panels each having a pair ofopposed vertically disposed edges; a connecting flap extending from eachof said edges of all of said side panels; a plurality of verticallyextending metal strip connecting members respectively disposed betweensaid connecting flaps and the adjacent side panels to secure said sidepanels together at adjacent edges thereof to provide a plurality ofparallel side seams of said carton, said connecting members eachincluding outwardly extending penetrating tongue portions lockinglyembedded in the respective connecting flap and side panel to secure saidconnecting member, connecting flap, and adjacent side panel together; abottom panel secured to said side panels; a cover panel having a hingedconnection with one of said side panels and having a pair of opposedside edges and a front edge; a sealing flap extending from each of saidside edges of said cover; and a front flap extending from said frontedge of said cover, said front flap being turned over an adjacent sidepanel and including end sections which are respectively folded back forconnection with a pair of said side panels, and to increase the strengthof said corners of said carton against rupture and against deformationby stacking of like cartons thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,627,311 Bliss May 3, 1927 1,761,787 Gorman Jan. 3, 1930 1,770,226Bliss July 8, 1930 1,897,088 Victor Feb. 14, 1933 2,051,373 FitzgeraldAug. 18, 1936- 2,483,174 Belsinger Sept. 27, 1949 2,484,975 Van SaunOct. 18, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 273,345 Great Britain Jan. 23, 1927851,253 Ger-many Oct. 2, 1952

1. A CARTON COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF SIDE PANELS EACH HAVING A PAIR OFOPPOSED VERTICALLY DISPOSED EDGES; A CONNECTING FLAP EXTENDING FROM EACHOF SAID EDGES OF ALL OF SAID SIDE PANELS; AND A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLYEXTENDING MENTAL STRIP CONNECTING MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY DISPOSED BETWEENALL OF SAID CONNECTING FLAPS AND THE ADJACENT SIDE PANELS TO SECURE SAIDSIDE PANELS TOGETHER AT ADJACENT EDGES THEREOF, SAID CONNECTING MEMBERSEACH INCLUDING OUTWARDLY EXTENDING PENETRATING TONGUE PORTIONS LOCKINGLYEMBEDDED IN THE RESPECTIVE CONNECTING FLAP AND SIDE PANEL TO OVERLAPPINGSECURE SAID CONNECTING MEMBER, CONNECTING FLAP, AND ADJACENT SIDE PANELTOGETHER, TO INCREASE THE STRENGTH OF SAID CORNERS OF SAID CARTONAGAINST RUPTURE AND AGAINST DEFORMATION BY STACKING LIKE CARTONSTHEREON.